Long tail cast-on

Long tail cast on.
In this video I will be demonstrating the long tail cast on. Here I have worsted weight yarn in a variegated color. My needles are a size 8. If you are just starting out I would recommend Susan Bates needles, but if you want to get more serious about knitting I would recommend Knit Picks Harmony Wood needles. They are my favorite.
When you are setting up for your cast on you want to take your yarn from the center of the skein and leave yourself about 18" (the tail) per each 20 stitches you need to cast on (minimum). You will want to leave anywhere from ½-1" per stitch you are casting on. You will have to play around with your tail amounts to get a feel of how much you need for your knitting tension. I find closer to the 1" mark is good for me. After your tail make a slip knot.
Put the slip knot on the needle. Hold you left hand out palm up facing you with your fingers and thumb stretched out. Take the needle with the slip knot on it and lay it in your hand with the point facing between your thumb and first finger. Lay the tail end of the yarn over your thumb and into your hand counter clockwise. Lay the skein end of the yarn over the knuckle of your index finger and into your hand clockwise. Grip both yarns with your pinky and ring fingers of the same hand. You are ready to begin.
Take the needle in your right hand and pull it down a little towards your pinky. You see you will make sort of a loopy 'V' with the yarn. Put the needle over the far loop of the thumb yarn, then the near loop of the finger yarn. Take your thumb out of the loop and pull on the tail string with your thumb. You have just made one cast on stitch. Do not let go of the yarns with your pinky and ring fingers. Re-wrap your thumb by catching the tail end of the yarn. Put the needle over the far loop of the thumb yarn, then the near loop of the finger yarn. Take your thumb out of the loop and pull on the tail string with your thumb. You have just made another cast on stitch.
Continue in this method until you have the required number of stitches on the needle.

Category:

Howto & Style

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• MOV003

[jenniferlynngagnon]

It is a rough estimate. I am not sure actually! it stands to reason that a thicker yarn would require longer tail, but i have no tested this. 

[jenniferlynngagnon]

You try to judge it so you only have a little bit left over. When you are done knitting you can weave it in, or you can weave it in as you knit the next row.

[jenniferlynngagnon]

Thanks!

[anrekar]

This was excellent! Just the right speed for beginners.

[mishanazareth]

Your explanation was so nice ..keep up the good work!!!Thanks

[dellobo2011]

Your explanation was very clear and I got it almost right away. Haven't finished casting all the 64 stitches for my sock but I think I left way too much of a tail! Thanks!

[MasonDixonTO]

AWESOME VIDEO!!!



[KrissyKnits]

this is very helpful. does the 1/2 inch to 1 inch per stitch work for all types of yarn or just the yarn you are using?

[Ikothewolf1]

how you do the rest of the tail?

[TheNerfKing19]

cool